The Cambridge Connection
Artistic Director Edward Wickham shares his ideas on repertoire for our September 2021 gathering.
Since the mid-15th century, when the University awarded the world’s first Bachelor of Music degree, Cambridge has been a major centre of choral culture. The composers associated with Cambridge – as students and teachers – provide a roll-call of great composers from the Renaissance to the present.
It seems appropriate, therefore, to dedicate our very first Cambridge Choral Academy to celebrating some of the great Cambridge choral composers, including:
Christopher Tye was born in Cambridge, and received his doctorate from the University in 1545. During the course, we will be singing his exuberant psalm setting, Omnes gentes.
Charles Villers Stanford studied in Cambridge, and returned as Organist of Trinity College. His setting of the Canticles in B flat are a well-loved staple of the repertoire for Anglican Evensong.
Thomas Walmisley managed affiliations at three colleges, Trinity, Jesus and St John’s, and was Professor of Music. A survey of Anglican church music would not be complete without his Canticles in D minor.
Judith Weir is one of Cambridge’s most illustrious living musical alumnae. We’ll be getting to know her enchanting take on the medieval hymn Ave regina caelorum.
Charles Wood studied at Selwyn, and then Gonville & Caius. I’d like us to sing his grace – Oculi omnium – before dinner on Saturday.
We hope that whets your appetite for a wonderful weekend of music-making together!
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